Romancing the Sweet Side

by Tianna Xander, Elle Boon, HA Fortman, Trinity Blacio, Cheryl Dragon, Caitlyn O'Leary, Dawn Montgomery, Megan Slayer, Viola Grace

  Holding out the blanket, Cammie tried not to stare. “I’m assuming my father sent you?”

  The man smiled, his white teeth flashed almost wolf-like. “I am Slater, ma’am. I came to see Keanu and just happened to hear your friend’s howl.” He looked at LeeLee.

  Thankful he happened by when he did and the fact he knew her husband’s name, Cammie wanted to ask more questions but another contraction hit, this one lasting longer than the others.

  “Why doesn’t she shift and help you?” He asked.

  Confused by his question, it was all she could do to pant through the next round of pain. “I’m in labor, Slater. Can you look for my phone in my car? During the crash it was lost.” She couldn’t continue speaking as she felt pressure and the need to push was bearing down on her.

  “Hold it in, woman. I’m not cut out to be a... a midwife.” The horror on his face made her smile.

  “Sorry, cowboy. I don’t think the little guy is listening to us.” She grunted.

  Both man and LeeLee turned toward the open door as if they heard something. Cammie tried to look over both of their shoulders, wondering what had them in such high alert. She heard the screech of a large bird, thinking it strange so far down into the trees, and then, the lovely sound of her name being called.

  “Keanu,” she yelled.

  The large form of her husband loomed in the doorway. “What have you done to your baby Lightning?” She laughed at his use of the name she called her jeep.

  She imagined how much damage the vehicle had sustained but couldn’t work up the energy to care as she was thrown into another contraction. “I think our little guy has decided to make an appearance.” Sitting sideways in the vehicle, pressed against glass window that was laying on snow-covered trees wasn’t her ideal birthing place.

  * * * *

  Keanu followed the likeliest trail down the hill, losing his footing more times than he could count, his inner fire wanting to come out and melt the snow surrounding him. As he’d heard the wolf howls and the sound of the eagle, he’d known he was close to finding Cammie, praying she was alive.

  The sight of his wife’s vehicle laying up against some trees with two tires in the air, the back door open and a mostly naked red-haired man had his hand itching to throw a fireball. When he got closer, he recognized Slater O’Neil, a fellow SmokeJumper.

  He worked to keep his voice level and his fear at bay, knowing she needed to think he was in control. “Well, if he wants to come, I guess we must let him.”

  Slater met his eyes, the other man’s green ones conveyed understanding. “What do you need from me?”

  “I’d tell you to put some pants on, but I’m thinking you left them somewhere up there.” Keanu tilted his head upward, watching the other man nod; he turned back to his wife. “Where all do you hurt, my love?” Keanu rubbed his hands over the swell of her belly, sending a little heat to them both.

  “If I said all over, will you be mad at me?” Cammie asked.

  Hell yes he was mad but not at her. “When we get you and our son out of here and you’re all healed, I will give you a proper spanking.”

  “Ah, shit, I so didn’t need to hear that.” Slater growled playfully.

  LeeLee gave a bark.

  “Think we could push the rig back onto the tires?”

  Slater raised one reddish-brown brow. “You thinking you can drive out of here?”

  Raising his middle finger high, Keanu explained how he thought the vehicle on all fours would be more comfortable for his wife and soon-to-come child. Hearing Cammie moan in pain, he let her squeeze his hand, feeling like she was about to break his fingers in her tight grip.

  After the pain seemed to ebb away, he helped get Cammie out, wrapping the blanket from his pack around her frame. Between him and Slater, they were able to push the jeep until they got it to settle back onto its tires. He set the emergency brake, while Slater pulled some downed trees in front to keep it from moving. Having a shifter with extra strength at hand really was handy. They worked quickly and efficiently to get the vehicle as safe as possible, while LeeLee stayed close to Cammie. He marveled at the almost human-like actions the wolf did.

  “All right, let’s get you inside and see if we can deliver our son.” Keanu ran his hands over Cammie, giving her another round of warmth from his palms.

  She shivered. “I love it that you can do that. I swear I thought I was going to freeze to death and wished you were here.”

  He brushed a tear away from her cheek. “I’ll always come for you. Never doubt that. Without you, my reason for living is gone. I love you, Cammie, more than anything in this world, I love you.”

  “Kea, I think he’s coming. I don’t want to have our baby in the snow.”

  “Hey, you can do this. Remember how you saved that little girl last summer? You were the only one who thought she’d go back to where she did. You got this.”

  He pulled his jacket off, laying it off to the side then knelt down between Cammie’s thighs. LeeLee had hopped back into the vehicle, offering her silent support. Slater stood outside in the blanket, probably freezing, Keanu thought.

  “Yo, Slater, climb in up front, man. There’s no need for you to stay out and freeze. I’m going to warm the vehicle up for all of us.” Putting words to action, he harnessed his fire and blew out a steady breath of steam.

  “Damn, handy power there,” Slater said from the front.

  Keanu worked to remove Cammie’s boots and pants, quickly putting the boots back on, before covering her lower half up again. He’d done some EMT training and knew enough to deliver a baby; he just hoped Brick and the rest of the team arrived soon.

  Within minutes, she had several more contractions, each one like a knife to his gut. He wanted the power to take away her pain, instead he worked to keep her warm, the only thing he could do until it was time for him to do more.

  That time came sooner than he’d anticipated as he saw his son’s head. “That’s it, Cammie. You’re doing so good. Just a couple more pushes and he’ll be here for you to hold.” He looked up, hoping his words helped encourage her.

  He coached her through the birthing of their son, wishing he could’ve been holding her hand while a doctor was there and they were safe in a hospital.

  Cammie gave one final push, and then, he was holding his son. Keanu remembered his training, cleaning his airways and hearing the first healthy scream; he thought his own heart was full to bursting with joy. The love he felt for this new life was only eclipsed by the love of his life, his wife, Cammie. She held her arms out, wanting to snuggle with their little miracle. He focused his energy on warming the small space, keeping his family warm was important as was getting them all out of there.

  LeeLee stirred, her fur stood up as she moved from the backseat where she’d climbed when Cammie had gone into full-blown labor.

  Turning toward the back window, Keanu spotted several men in rescue gear descending the hill. “Looks like Brick and the guys are here just in time.”

  She sighed. “He’s nursing so well.”

  He thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world before; now, she was even more so. “God above, I love you so damn much. Don’t ever scare me like that again.” He bent over and placed a kiss on his son’s forehead then kissed Cammie, tears welling in his eyes. He’d almost lost them both.

  Slater cleared his throat. “What are you gonna name him?”

  “We haven’t decided yet.” Keanu looked down at his precious family.

  “Well you better get to naming him. You can’t go around calling him Little Guy.”

  Cammie burst out laughing, and he remembered their old joke about her saying he couldn’t call his dick Little Kea. Their eyes met and held, and he knew she was remembering that long-ago conversation, and he felt his cheeks heat.

  A knock on the window interrupted them. “Looks like I missed the party. How about we get mama and baby out of here. We have a
vehicle waiting up at the top.” Brick looked around inside, his eyes not missing a thing.

  “Let’s do this.”

  The jeep had cleared a path down the hill, which they used to their advantage as they strapped mother and child onto the stretcher. He held one side, with Slater on the other, Brick bringing up the rear. He made sure they were all in a bubble of warmth even though the chief had brought extra blankets. Their son was still happily nursing, tucked against Cammie who seemed to have fallen asleep.

  Chapter Three

  Cammie woke, alarmed when she didn’t immediately feel her son tucked up against her, then relaxed when she spotted him sleeping comfortably on her husband’s shoulder. The world was truly lucky to have not one, but two handsome men with her new addition.

  “What’s that smile for,” Keanu asked.

  “I was just thinking how incredibly gorgeous you both looked and how lucky I am.”

  Keanu got up, placing their sleeping baby in her arms. “We are the lucky ones to have such an amazing woman in our lives. You scared the crap out of me today.”

  She explained about the accident and then the strange feeling she had with her pet, LeeLee, along with the weird reaction Slater had experienced.

  “He’s a shifter, maybe he was reacting to the cold or your pain. LeeLee took off after Brick and the crew arrived. I’m sure she is back at the house waiting for us. I’ll have your parents check in on her. Right now, your only concern is you and our son. So, have we decided on a name?”

  His brown eyes twinkling down at her had her tummy flipping. “Let’s invite everyone over for Christmas and announce it then. Isn’t Hal and Felicity coming up?”

  “Yes, I just heard from them. They are flying out Christmas Eve to see their Godson. Do you think you can keep it a secret that long?”

  Slapping at his arm, she kissed him. “Of course I can.”

  They both looked up in time to see Cammie’s mother and father walking into the room, a huge bouquet in Dyani’s hands and a stuffed wolf in Rasmund’s arms. “What is this I hear we have to wait until Christmas to find out our grandson’s name? Do you know how absurd that is?” Cammie’s mother kissed her cheek before holding out her hands for the baby.

  Knowing it was no use, she gently gave her son over. He gave a little mewl of protest then settled down as her mother eased into the recliner.

  “You did good, Cammie.” Rasmund’s deep voice came from the foot of the bed. He’d moved back to their town, although he’d rented his own house, she suspected her mother stayed there more often than not.

  “He’s perfect, isn’t he?” She asked.

  It still amazed her she’d delivered an eight-pound-nine-ounce baby without meds and without a doctor. Although she’d swear there was someone helping take her pain away during the labor and delivery, the only ones who’d been in the vehicle were Keanu, Slater, her and her pet, LeeLee.

  “Dad, have you checked on LeeLee?” Concern for the wolf made her tone sharp.

  “We went by your house before coming here. Your friend Slater was there, wanting to check on her as well, which was a good thing. I’ve never known her to be sick.” Dyani whispered, clearly not wanting to wake the baby.

  Keanu came to stand by her bed, keeping her from trying to get up. “What do you mean?”

  Rasmund gripped the foot of the bed. “She looked like she’d taken on a grizzly, without the external wounds. Slater... thinks he can heal her but needs to take her to a special place. A place that is far away from here. I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to say it. LeeLee isn’t your average run-of-the-mill wolf. She’s a shifter, like me, only she’s been locked in her current form for years. When I found her, I sensed what she was, but nothing I said or did could get her to shift back to human. I can’t communicate with her like I can my pack, even in shifted form. When you were born, I decided she needed a purpose and spoke with her about it. She’s highly intelligent, as you know. Although she can’t speak, I do believe she understands us, and when I asked if she’d like to come and be your companion, she turned to the door and waited expectantly. In all this time, has she once acted as though she wasn’t happy?”

  Keanu raised his hand, but Cammie grabbed it, knowing what he was going to say. No way in heck was she going to let him explain how her beloved pet didn’t like it when he’d first stayed the night. Nope, some things parents didn’t need to know. Eye bleach didn’t exist, and if it did, she didn’t think it was safe. She was saved when their son started fussing.

  “When is he taking her, and when will they be back?”

  Her father sighed, and she was sure his answer wasn’t going to make her happy.

  “They’ve already left. As for when they will be back? I don’t know, but I did tell him to keep me and you updated.”

  “I think this big guy is ready to be fed.” Dyani stood, grunting. “Holy cow, he’s definitely going to be one chunky little monkey, look at these cheeks.” She bussed his cheeks.

  Cammie knew it was a diversion. However, her son also needed feeding, so the topic of her pet, which was actually a shifter, would need to be shelved.

  Keanu’s face split in a proud grin, but she was still worried about LeeLee.

  “How do you know LeeLee is safe with Slater? For that matter, how do we know that is her name?”

  Her father’s shoulders lifted in a negligent shrug. “Slater is a shifter. We have a code of honor, and I have entrusted one of my pack to his care. If he does not return her in the same shape or better, then he will answer to me. Pack Law is not to be screwed with, and he knows this. Besides, I think he has a lot riding on her safety, and that is all I’m saying on that matter.”

  She wanted to ask more, but her son wanted to be fed.

  The next day, they drove home to the place they had built. Keanu’s family owned Chinook Designs, which built beautiful log homes. When they sold her home and built their new one, she thought they didn’t need such a large space. Now, she knew they would fill it with children. The four-bedroom, one-level home had breathtaking views on all four sides, but inside was even more incredible. They’d mixed her need for comfort and classic, with his more rustic and woodsy. The snow from two days earlier had been cleared enough, she was able to see where her vehicle had barreled through the guardrails.

  A shiver stole down her spine at what would have happened to her had it not been for the two shifters and her husband. “Quit thinking about it.” Keanu’s voice broke into her musings, his gaze meeting hers.

  “I’m so glad my dad made sure my rig had been equipped with top-of-the-line roll bars and all that other extra stuff he’d had installed, just in case I ever found myself rolling the jeep,” she said looking down at their sleeping son. At the time she’d rolled her eyes, but in the face of her accident, they owed Rasmund their lives. She had a feeling her beloved Lightning was never coming back to their garage.

  Cammie pulled her mind away from the what-ifs. “All the arrangements have been made for Christmas dinner. My mom and Nana are going to come up in the morning and help get everything ready since this big guy decided to make his appearance, finally.” She couldn’t help smiling down at their baby. He had Keanu’s skin tone and ink black hair with dark eyes. When people said their child was the spitting image of their father or mother, Cammie now understood what they meant. Their baby looked like a younger version of Keanu.

  “I bet when we have a little girl, she’s going to look just like you. I’m going to have to beat the boys off with a stick or meet them with a big ole gun, or better yet, maybe toss fireballs at their vehicle before they even get out.” The look he gave her said he was only half kidding.

  She laughed, making the little guy in her arms blink up at her, melting her heart even more. “I can’t imagine loving anyone more than I love you two.” It was true, although she knew she would love every child she and Keanu made together equally.

  “Come, let’s get him set
tled in the nursery.” Keanu guided them into the house, making sure they were safe and warm the entire way.

  A gasp of delight escaped at the sight that met her eyes. Fairy lights had been strung everywhere, with fresh garland and cherry blossoms, a welcome-home sign, clearly handmade, hung above the fireplace. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them back. “How did I get so lucky?” She asked.

  * * * *

  Keanu brushed a kiss across her mouth. “I’m the lucky one.” And he truly believed with all his heart he was. Looking at his beautiful wife and son, he couldn’t imagine his life any other way. Once, he though the most exhilarating thing was jumping out of a DC plane from thousands of feet into the middle of a fire the greatest; now, he preferred changing diapers and holding his family. He imagined what his fellow SmokeJumpers would think if they saw him.

  “Hal and Felicity will be here in the morning, along with the rest of our family. I know you said you’d rather do Christmas here, but we can still cancel if you’re too tired.” Lines of exhaustion etched around her almond-shaped eyes made him want to wrap them both in his arms and keep them safe from the world.

  The next morning was a rush of activity filled with adjusting to life of having a new baby and preparing for their guests. He’d been relegated to making sure the driveway and walkways were cleared.

  As the first vehicle pulled into the long drive, Keanu turned off the snow blower, watching as Hal helped his much smaller wife down from the SUV. Of course, most people looked smaller standing next to the six-foot-four, blond Norwegian man.

  “Hey, Hal, Felicity. How was the trip?” Keanu greeted them.

  Felicity’s blonde hair blew into her mouth. She carefully removed the strands before turning her stunning green eyes up to him. Keanu could understand why his best friend had fallen hard for her, then he remembered the other man hadn’t seen what Felicity had looked like. Their soul-deep connection had happened when Hal had rescued Felicity. A woman who’d been beaten beyond recognition and on the verge of death and would have died had it not been for Hal’s timely appearance. Keanu believed the All Mighty had a hand in both their meetings of the women they were now married to. He’d saved Cammie when she was only twelve years old and stuck in a tree where nobody would have thought to look for her. Hal happened by a gruesome scene and saved Felicity from not only being beaten to death but from the attackers violating her body. Yeah, he believed they were sent to the places they were needed to be. An image of Brax, their other friend, popped into his head. Keanu knew he was on the trail of the woman he suspected was the other half of his soul and wished him all the happiness he and Hal had.